The Lions went into this game with a weakened squad and paid the price, although they put up a good fight right to the end. The harsh dismissal of Scotty Langdon for a high tackle just a minute after he came on left the Lions an entire half with only 14 men and they eventually succumbed 24-19, despite matching the visitors try for try.

Despite a changed back line, the Lions scored first from a lineout after 2 minutes, a slick passing move down the left leaving Tom Noott to crash over, followed by a magnificent touchline conversion by Sam Wilson. The Lions almost scored again but spilled the ball just short of the line.
Wolverhampton came more and more into it and scored after 20 minutes, a try and conversion bringing them level. The sending off wrecked the Lions' rhythm for a while but they were next to score, Will King going over near the posts after a huge amount of pressure led to a surge to the line. A Wilson conversion left the Lions 14-7 up at half-time.

The second half proved to be a step too far, with the Lions sustaining fierce pressure, especially in the scrum, where Wolves opted for scrums after being awarded penalties to keep the pressure on a tiring defence. Wolves scored a converted try after the restart and then another 2 minutes later to take a 21-14 lead. It looked all over for the Lions, but another fine break by Will King down the right from half-way put Phil Bowden over for an unconverted try after 20 minutes of the half.

For a short while it looked as though the visitors might fold, but they rallied well and a huge penalty goal from half way put them just out of the Lions' reach. The home side strove manfully to get back on terms, but the Wolves defence held out.

A disappointing defeat against the bottom side but at least the Lions gained 1 point from it and stay in mid-table, a huge achievement at this point in the season. Injuries will hopefully start to improve and there remains much to be proud of.

by Jon Dews, pics by Sian Davies